Wheel Power
Love works wonders
A mother shares how a supportive environment can bring out the best in her two dyslexic boys.
We want action, not talk
There’s much that can be done to help the disabled.
Exercising our right to vote
Polling stations should be disabled-friendly to make life easier for the physically challenged.
Eating into others’ space
IN my job of raising awareness of disability and the disabled, I’ve come across various responses from the able-bodied. One of the best, I recall, was an e-mail from a datin who wrote: “I’m one of those people who can’t resist parking in a disabled-parking spot when I see it empty. However, your stories in your column pricked my conscience and I realised how self-centred I’ve been, and vowed never to do this again.”
Furry friends to the fore
Animals have so much to offer their human companions.
Therapeutic trip
Parks and public places should be made disabled-friendly so that wheelchair-users can frequent them, too.
On common ground
ANTHONY THANASAYAN adventures in a wheelchair took him to a most unexpected place last week – the Fire and Rescue Department’s headquarters in Putrajaya.
Malaysia needs more user-friendly hospitals
SYABAS to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for calling for world standard user-friendly facilities for hospitals in the country during his recent visit to Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL). The PM was there to launch HKL’s specialist clinic and ambulatory care centre.
Strategies for better access
Sweden points the way to creating a disabled-friendly city.
Celebrating love and friendship
The disabled were very much part of the recently concluded Chap Goh Mei festivities.
Thumbs up to Singapore for disabled-friendly features
The Lion City gets a roar of approval for its many disabled-friendly features.
A welcome break for the disabled
LAST week’s Chinese New Year break was a godsend for ANTHONY THANASAYAN good friend, Chong Tuck Meng, from Bentong, Pahang.
Family aid
Blind homemaker sees no barrier to living – and thriving.
The turning point
THE Thongs practically had it all. With a textile business that raked in US$35mil a year, they dined in some of the most expensive restaurants, stayed in five-star hotels and led a very comfortable life.
Provide venues accessible to disabled and elderly
Businesses should provide venues that are accessible to the disabled and elderly.
Wheel Power: Doggie dearest
Life has not been the same since a Doberman pup came into the writer’s life two years ago.
Reading classes for dyslexic kids
AMONG the disabled community, people with learning disabilities remain a forgotten lot in society. Just ask anyone who has worked with them or for their cause.
Great start to new year
ANTHONY THANASAYAN is confident of facing many more challenges to come in 2013.
Extend a helping hand
WHAT I like most about the New Year is the opportunity it gives us to become a better person.
What a year!
Congratulations to us all for having survived the dreaded Mayan doomsday last Friday. What an incredible year it has been for the disabled community.
Bearing hope, sowing joy
Random acts of kindness leave a lasting imprint in the hearts of those on the receiving end.
Let’s salute them
People with disabilities are beginning to receive due recognition.
For a barrier-free city
The challenges in making our cities accessible for the disabled are all too real.
The disabled have a right to travel
MORE than 100 participants from South-East Asia, Italy, Britain, Nepal and New Zealand attended a two-day accessible tourism conference in Kuala Lumpur last week.
Joyful reunion
LAST week’s Deepavali celebrations may have been quieter than usual. However, when it comes to learning some precious lessons in life, I’m delighted to say Deepavali certainly did not disappoint.
Furry wonders
Canines lead the way as MBPJ celebrates World Animal Day.
Mental illness, the dark side of life
People with mental illness need all the support they can find.
From trauma to triumph
It is not the end of the world should one end up with a disability. There is always help round the corner.
Malaysians with disabilities and positive attitudes
Two events show that people with disability can stay on top of things.
Meeting needs of the blind
The Adult Blind Association of Selangor aims to raise awareness of a special group of visually impaired individuals.
Forest walk for the blind
IF you think that being blind is no fun – think again! This Saturday, as many as 100 blind participants will be having the time of their lives as they take a walk through the Kota Damansara Community Forest Park in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. It is said to be the oldest forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia.
Lessons from furry friends
On World Animal Day today, let us celebrate the immense contributions of animals towards man and society.
Pressing issues for the disabled
DESPITE being involved in the business of creating awareness of disability for several decades now, there are days when I feel down and wonder how effective it has all been.
Dogs shows continue to draw crowds
Dog shows remain ever popular and continue to draw crowds wherever they are held.
Impressive new personal disabled identification card
I BECAME the proud owner of a new personal disabled identification card last week. And I must say that I am very impressed with it! I had not expected it to look as good as it did when I first applied for it over a month ago. It certainly beats my two previous disabled IDs.
Time to shine
The Paralympics has more than its share of inspiring moments.
Merdeka wish list
AS Malaysians prepare to celebrate the nation’s 55th birthday tomorrow, I thought it would be a good idea to come up with a random Merdeka wish list for this week’s column.
Living with lupus
SYSTEMIC Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic auto-immune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissues, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage.
Blind community loses friend in Francis Chan
Francis Chan Chen was loved by one and all for his cheerfulness and readiness to help others.
Puppy thrown into manhole: Monsters in our midst
ANTHONY THANASAYAN wept when he read the horrible news last weekend. Many animal-lovers were just as distraught. The news media reported that two young foreign students threw a helpless puppy into a manhole before running away.
Even dogs need a park
THERE are wonderful people out there who simply refuse to see handicaps in front of them. They would rather focus on the abilities of each individual they meet, and offer the best support possible for people with disabilities.
A chance to voice out
It is about time that our city pay attention to the needs of the disabled and build with them in mind.
Include the disabled in public events
Organisers of public events should not forget the disabled and elderly.
Blinded ex-engineer sees visible difference
A blind man has an eye-opening experience on holiday.
Disturbed by ignorance
A group is trying to change misconceptions about mental illness.
Refusing to be limited by Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s dealt him a big blow at 42. Today, all Samuel Ng thinks about is helping others like himself.
Show of unity
A big show of support gets a disabled elderly couple a low cost flat to stay in.
Samaritans in our midst
Most people think that ending up in a wheelchair signals the end of the road for anyone. Well, never believe that for a minute, folks!
Silent thief of health
Life can be very challenging for SLE patients whose plight remains largely unnoticed by society.
At one with other devotees
IT has often been said that if you want to truly appreciate the difficulties of another, there is no other way than to simply “walk a mile in his shoes”. I couldn’t agree more. But what if the person that you are trying to understand is a blind individual? What is his world of darkness like?
Guardians of my life
In the right hands, so-called dangerous dogs can turn out to be precious pals.
A special place in mum’s heart
While raising disabled kids may be tough, a mother holds them close to her heart.
Terrific tales
Dogs provide the best sort of therapy for those in need.
Tracking Parkinson’s
More than 3,000 volunteers are needed in a groundbreaking clinical study on Parkinson’s disease.
Give them a break
Life is doubly hard for those who have to live with more than one disability.
Do more to improve lives
Special education programmes in every school should be up to the mark so that students with learning disabilities will not be short-changed.
Staying upbeat
Parkinson’s patients come together in a celebration of life.
Assistance dogs help in more ways than one
Although this was the third year that the public relations students of HELP Matriculation Centre were hosting such an event, this was the first time in which they featured someone living with a disability who spoke on animal-assisted therapy.
Matter of life and death
THE thought of being plunged into a life or death situation is a very unnerving experience for anyone. And when it happens, often there is little or no warning.
Journey of discovery for Amir Tayebi
Some of the biggest blessings in life often come when one least expects it.
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